Hi queens! A subconscious factor of wanting to compete in a pageant is how well the director does their job. It is important to know the characteristics of a good pageant director because you will essentially be working for them as the titleholder. A director can make or break your reign as a local, state, or national titleholder. They are your handler, they sign off on your appearances, they are the liaison between you and sponsors. Pageant directors not only run the show but they are highly influential on your reign. First Impressions go both ways and your first impression of a director is an indicator of how your interactions and working relationship will be with them, from the very start of your journey as a contestant until the end as a forever queen. So let’s go over some key characteristics of a good pageant director so that you know what to look for and can have a great experience no matter where the crown falls.
Competition experience
I love when forever queens step into the role of director! This is most appropriate in my opinion when there is at least a two-year gap between a woman giving up her title and stepping into a leadership position like a director ( I feel the same about forever queens judging). This is so special because when former queens become directors they know exactly what the girls are going through and they become more relatable because they understand the weight of wanting to win and achieve the very specific set of goals within the pageant world. If you come across a director that has pageant competition experience, especially if they have held a title this is a very good sign, because they will be able to understand you and support you like no one else can.
Production experience
Competition experience and production experience are two totally different things! But they are both so important. I received my undergraduate degree in music and dance performance. Although the bulk of my studies was on stage as the performer, I did have to do some student directing and production, and it was an eye-opener! At the forefront pageantry is a business and a production. Just like a concert, just like Broadway, there are so many moving parts, and a good director needs to know how to direct the movement of these parts in a way that is concise, organized, but still fun and kind. If a director has a production background, whether that be with a local theater, other pageant organizations, or even production at the collegiate level, that is a good sign.
Organization Timely communication
Although there can be many departments and different aspects to putting on a pageant production the director is at the top of it all. So the director has to be organized and timely in communication not just with contestants and titleholders but with the other leaders that are working for the pageant too. Before you sign up for a pageant I encourage you to reach out to the director or director’s assistant via email with a few questions and see how long the response time is. Although it is unrealistic for communication to be immediate, it should be timely, and you should not have to hunt down directors for the necessary information that you need to compete and reign.
Teamwork of leadership
Any good leader must first be a good team player and pageant directors are no exception. Empathy, listening skills, and not being above serving are all characteristics that make a great leader and a great director. Although they call the shots they should be willing to get down and dirty when necessary, and should be leading those underneath them with kindness. Pay attention to how directors work with other pageant leaders and employees. If a director is abrupt, dismissive, and has a holier than thou attitude with others that are helping them put on the pageant, they will give you less. Look for a director that treats everyone with respect no matter their position and has the ability to be a team player as well as delegate.
I hope that this blog post was helpful in helping you identify good pageant directors, and thus good pageants to compete in!
If you would like to watch the corresponding YouTube video to this blog post click the link below!
